Chapter 29: Siege and Annihilation

The scene before him gradually became clear, with trees blocking the sunlight and leaving golden patches on the ground.

Meng Qi, who had come prepared, vigilantly glanced around, but found no sign of an enemy attack.

“Huh?” After examining the surroundings carefully, Meng Qi frowned slightly in confusion.

Because he noticed that only three people stood nearby. One was Qi Zhengyan, who always wore a stern expression with a deeply gloomy demeanor. The others were Xiang Hui, a muscular gang member, and the delicate girl Xiao Zi, who appeared helpless.

“Jiang girl and Senior Brother Zhang are both missing…” Meng Qi felt somewhat helpless. He had already recalled the prompt for the main mission—”Divide into Two Groups!”

However, Meng Qi did not feel lost. If this had happened last time, he might have been terrified, but now he had basic self-defense abilities. If he still acted timid and fearful, how could he call himself a man?

“Senior Brother Qi, we must first find out how to get to Shaolin,” Meng Qi said decisively, ignoring the trembling and weeping Xiao Zi and the anxious Xiang Hui. He exchanged a glance with Qi Zhengyan and spoke concisely.

He realized he had absolutely no idea where he currently was or in which direction Shaolin lay.

Qi Zhengyan looked up at the sky and observed the nearby trees before pondering for a moment and replying, “The forest is not thick, and I can hear distant sounds of carriages and horses. We should be close to a major road. Let’s head out first and ask passersby for directions.”

Knowing Meng Qi had little experience in the martial arts world, Qi Zhengyan tried his best to recall his training to lead the group.

Meng Qi turned to Xiao Zi and Xiang Hui and asked, “Will you two go to Shaolin on your own or follow us?”

A small voice of mischief whispered in Meng Qi’s mind that without these two burdens, he and Qi Zhengyan would be much freer.

“Master, Master, I’m coming with you!” Xiao Zi shuddered as if struck by lightning, quickly rushing to Meng Qi’s side and tightly grabbing his sleeve.

Xiang Hui smiled nervously, bowing repeatedly: “Holy monk, I will follow your lead.”

Seeing their fawning, Meng Qi roughly guessed their thoughts. First, he was a monk, which naturally gave people a sense of compassion. Second, he often smiled, unlike Qi Zhengyan, who was gloomy and hard to approach. Third, he had already displayed martial arts skills, leaving a deep impression.

“Lay devotee Xiang, I didn’t expect you to be an educated man,” Meng Qi said with a smile.

Xiang Hui hurriedly replied with a grin: “Your Holiness flatters me. I learned everything from the White Swan of our gang.”

This guy initially seemed like a rough, bold type like Lu Zhishen, but turned out to be a sycophantic bootlicker, Meng Qi mused inwardly. He then turned to Xiao Zi, who was still clinging to his sleeve, and said, “Miss Xiao Zi, if you’re coming with us, don’t do this anymore—it’ll hinder our movements.”

He had initially harbored a bit of malice, but seeing Xiang Hui and Xiao Zi reminded him of his last reincarnation mission. If Jiang Zhiwei and others had abandoned him for his weak martial arts skills, he would have long been killed by the black-clad assassins. Therefore, he felt sympathy for them.

“Since my life was saved by Miss Jiang’s kindness, I might as well show some compassion when it’s not dangerous,” Meng Qi sighed inwardly. Of course, no matter how compassionate he felt, Meng Qi would never risk his life for strangers.

Xiao Zi let go and stepped back, standing beside Xiang Hui. She suppressed her sobs and obediently followed Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan out of the forest.

The forest ground was uneven, with protruding roots intertwined with decaying leaves and mud. Xiao Zi stumbled along the way but never complained, biting her lip and striving not to fall behind.

“She’s actually strong-willed despite her delicate appearance,” Meng Qi observed quietly. If she had continued crying and complaining, unwilling to endure hardship, he would have truly abandoned her.

He could tolerate a slight burden, but a complete liability would only endanger himself.

Turning his head, Meng Qi saw Qi Zhengyan’s rigid face ahead and suddenly had an idea.

In this “Divide into Two Groups” mission, Qi Zhengyan was currently the strongest among their group. Although Meng Qi wasn’t afraid of him, cooperating sincerely was better than fighting alone.

Hmm, he should build rapport and strengthen their relationship. Thinking briefly, Meng Qi smiled and asked, “Senior Brother Qi, how is your progress with that sword technique?”

“The time of one month was too short. I’ve just barely entered the door,” Qi Zhengyan slightly nodded, still maintaining his usual serious expression.

Meng Qi chuckled: “Entering the door is good enough. Combined with the Changhe Sword Technique, your strength should have significantly improved.”

“I haven’t tested it in actual combat yet, so I dare not boast,” Qi Zhengyan replied concisely.

Meng Qi’s lips twitched slightly: “Senior Brother Qi, actually, why must you always be so serious and reluctant to speak? Since we can’t escape this reincarnation task for now, why not face it with a smile? Relaxing your mind will help improve your performance.”

At this moment, Meng Qi felt like he was giving psychological counseling again.

“Your Holiness speaks truly,” Xiang Hui forced a smile in agreement, while Qi Zhengyan remained silent.

“All confusion and fear arise from the mind…” Meng Qi felt slightly proud and began a long discourse on “the benefits of facing the reincarnation task with a smile.”

As he listened, Qi Zhengyan suddenly stopped walking without turning around and murmured, “I was born this way…”

“Eh, could it be that Senior Brother Qi suffered some trauma or grew up in a repressive environment when you were young?” Meng Qi asked casually.

“I was fine… when I was little!” Qi Zhengyan still didn’t turn around, his words almost gritted out through clenched teeth. His voice rose sharply, “Disciple Zhen Ding! We are surrounded and pursued. Our ears are for detecting danger, not for listening to nonsense!”

“Haha.” Meng Qi gave a dry laugh to ease the awkwardness and sincerely said, “This humble monk has little experience in the martial world. Thank you, Senior Brother Qi, for your guidance.”

Seeing that Meng Qi wasn’t offended, Qi Zhengyan hesitated slightly before slowly nodding: “We must remain vigilant at all times.”

Their conversation left Xiang Hui puzzled. Was that gloomy guy, who seemed perpetually owed five taels of silver by the entire world, actually more formidable than the holy monk?

After walking for a while, Meng Qi and the others spotted a rammed-earth road ahead. Carriages passed by, kicking up clouds of dust.

Beside the road was a tea stall with a shade canopy, also selling some food. It was not yet noon, and only a few travelers had stopped to rest.

Meng Qi looked into the distance and saw the tea stall owner was an old man. Inside were four groups of people: a dusty couple, a peddler carrying a pole with baskets, an old man playing the huqin, and a wealthy young master with a pretty maid in his arms, accompanied by his bodyguards.

“Senior Brother Qi, I’ll go ask for information and buy some provisions. You watch the surroundings for me,” Meng Qi said, eyeing Qi Zhengyan’s gloomy face. He decided it would be better to go himself. Besides, if Qi Zhengyan stayed hidden behind, he could provide a warning or rescue if they were attacked.

Qi Zhengyan carefully observed the people at the tea stall and the surrounding environment. After a long pause, he said with a serious expression: “I find the peddler too clean, not like someone who travels from village to village. You must be cautious.”

Actually, he also lacked much experience in the martial world and felt somewhat insecure.

Hearing this, Meng Qi focused his gaze and indeed noticed something odd about the peddler. He lacked the weariness and hardship of constant travel. Especially his hands holding the teacup—no signs of sun-damaged, cracked skin.

“I understand,” Meng Qi said and slowly walked forward.

As he approached the tea stall, Meng Qi suddenly heard a horse neigh. Instinctively turning his head, he saw four brown horses and a luxurious carriage parked nearby.

“If I could ride a horse, it would definitely be faster than relying on my lightness kung fu,” Meng Qi thought. He clearly knew his current level of lightness kung fu—short-distance could rival a fine horse, but over long distances, he’d quickly fall behind. Riding a horse would also conserve his energy, leaving him more prepared for any danger.

“Yes, I should buy a horse from the owner later,” he thought, patting the jade pendant in his robe. He had no intention of becoming a robber this time—he had brought the jade pendant precisely because he feared needing money during the mission.

As for who the horse owner was, Meng Qi could guess with his toes. It must be that wealthy young master adorned in brocade and jade. With such a delicate maid, they wouldn’t have made it here without a carriage.

Thus, Meng Qi instinctively approached the tea stall from near the wealthy young master and swept his gaze over them.

“Hey, bald monk, what are you staring at!” One of the two bodyguards stepped forward, arms crossed.

Seeing the man’s heavy steps and aggressive attitude, Meng Qi found it amusing. Imitating a rogue monk he had once known, he clasped his hands together: “Amitabha, this humble monk perceives that you noble patrons have a karmic connection with the Buddha.”

“Haha, you bald-headed rascal, what connection? You just want alms, don’t you?” The young master laughed loudly while caressing the maid’s face, then frowned: “Scram! I despise monks and Taoists the most!”

“Last time, my wife was scammed out of 300 taels of silver by a rogue monk…” the maid giggled.

“Hmph! If any rogue monks or Taoists dare approach our mansion gates, break their legs!” The young master signaled his two bodyguards to drive Meng Qi away.

Meng Qi wasn’t in a hurry. He planned to “reason” with this rich young master later. He bypassed several tables and approached the tea stall owner.

“Shopkeeper, this humble monk has a question to ask,” Meng Qi said, clasping his hands together.

The elderly shopkeeper, hunched and with sparse white hair, returned the gesture with a smile: “This old man has always believed in Buddhism. Master, please ask freely.”

Meng Qi lowered his voice to avoid being overheard by the peddler: “This humble monk wishes to go to Shaohua Mountain. Which path should I take?”

At the same time, Meng Qi’s attention was mostly on the peddler.

The old man smiled and said: “Just follow this official road straight ahead, about three days’ journey…”

Before he could finish, his expression suddenly changed, staring in shock at something behind Meng Qi.

The peddler had already pulled a long sword from his carrying pole. With a stomp of his foot, he lunged straight at Meng Qi from behind.

He actually attacked directly? Could he have extraordinary hearing? Meng Qi was surprised but remained focused, not feeling flustered. He turned around, swung his long knife, and blocked the peddler’s attack.

Suddenly, Meng Qi felt a sharp pain in his waist. When had the old man behind him drawn two daggers, stabbing viciously at his sides?

Meng Qi took a step forward to dodge the daggers, but at that moment, the dusty couple also drew their swords and knives, one aiming straight for Meng Qi’s throat while the other swept a ground-level blade toward his legs.

Sighing softly, the huqin-playing old man gently pulled a thin short sword from his instrument. In a flash, he appeared behind Meng Qi, thrusting toward his back.